This was followed in April by a world record 160km long convoy of 252 prime movers pulling 405 trailers of hay to Queensland.

This equated to 14,000 big squares transported from Darlington Point to Ilfracombe in 48 hours.

“When you see someone down, just give them a hand up,’’ Mr Farrell said.

“The Australian of the Year award nomination is all good and well, but they would have to chop it up into about 700 pieces, as that is how many truck drivers, wives and kids come along on the hay runs.’’

To date, Burrumbuttock Hay Runners have donated 60,000 square and round bales to more than 7500 farmers.

A former dairy farmer, Mr Farrell said a delivery of 500-600 trailer loads of hay was planned for Victorian dairy farmers early in the New Year.

“There are lot of people on the HMFD committee who come on our hay runs,’’ he said.

“I call it the pill of giving – once that pill goes in your heart, you can’t stop.

“We have had truck drivers who have been on 12 runs and they can’t get enough of it.’’

Donations to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners appeal are collected by the Rotary Club of Sydney.